$3 MILLION DOLLAR SETTLEMENT IN COOK COUNTY CHILD'S DEATH
An 18-month old girl suffering from an ear infection later died after hospital personnel from St. Francis Hospital and Heather Center in Blue Island administered penicillin to the child despite suspicions that the child was allergic. The lawsuit alleged that hospital administrators obstructed efforts to investigate the girl's death. Indeed, syringes, IV tubing and other medical materials were thrown out minutes after she died. The nurse who administered the medication stated that she wasn't certain about the medication given tot he child and that she couldn't get an IV pump to work, so she directly injected an "excessive amount" into the child's body. This same nurse later recanted these statements.
Her parents filed a wrongful-death lawsuit six years ago which was finally resolved in April when the family reached a $3 million settlement with the hospital and medical staff. As noted by the family's attorney, "A child shouldn't die while she's being treated for an ear infection."
My deepest condolences to this family.
